Independent participatory media for Iran

The International Atomic Energy Agency has announced that its inspectors will return to Iran on February 21 and 22.

In a statement on its official website, the IAEA reports that it is committed to focusing on negotiations to advance fundamental issues regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

Last Sunday, an IAEA delegation travelled to Iran for a three-day visit. Herman Nackaerts, who headed the delegation, told reporters on his return that the talks were positive and both sides were committed to resolve all remaining issues.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said the meetings were constructive and will continue in the same vein.

Yukiya Amano, the head of the IAEA, has also evaluated the talks as a positive step, saying the disputes over Iran’s nuclear program can only be resolved through peaceful negotiations. He maintained, however, that Iran needs to show that its nuclear program has no military component.

The latest IAEA report, released last year, claimed there is a possibility that Iran’s nuclear program could have a military dimension.

Iran has denied the allegations, insisting that its nuclear program is peaceful.

The report triggered a series of unilateral sanctions against Iran by Western countries, the latest being the European Union’s oil embargo on Iranian petroleum products.

Iran has dismissed the sanctions and announced that it will easily find alternative markets for its oil.

The U.S. has also tried to convince Asian buyers of Iranian oil to reduce their trade with Iran; however, these efforts have remained unsuccessful.